5 Critical Ford Vehicle Recalls You Must Check Now (Latest December 2025 Updates)

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The sheer volume of safety actions taken by Ford Motor Company in 2025 has been staggering, making it essential for owners to stay constantly updated on the latest vehicle recall information. As of December 15, 2025, Ford continues to issue critical safety recalls affecting hundreds of thousands of popular models, ranging from the best-selling F-150 pickup to the popular Bronco and Escape SUVs. This article breaks down the five most significant and recent Ford vehicle recalls announced in late 2025, detailing the models affected, the serious safety risks involved, and the immediate steps you need to take to ensure your vehicle's safety.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been actively monitoring Ford, with the automaker reportedly on pace to hit a record number of recalls for a single year in 2025. Whether you own a 2025 model or an older vehicle, checking your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) against these recent safety notices is a non-negotiable step for all Ford owners.

The 5 Most Significant Ford Vehicle Recalls Announced in Late 2025

The following list details the largest and most critical safety recalls issued by Ford in the final months of 2025, impacting models across its popular truck and SUV lineup.

1. Ford F-150: The Dangerous Rear Axle Bolt Failure

One of the most concerning recent recalls involves the backbone of Ford's lineup: the F-150 pickup truck. This issue poses a serious risk of a crash or vehicle loss of control.

  • Affected Vehicles: Approximately 103,174 units of the 2023–2025 Ford F-150 pickup truck.
  • The Core Problem: The rear axle bolts on the affected trucks can fracture.
  • Safety Risk: A fractured axle bolt can lead to a loss of propulsion, meaning the truck will suddenly stop moving. Worse, it can cause the vehicle to roll away when parked if the parking brake is not engaged, significantly increasing the risk of injury or a collision.
  • The Remedy: Owners will receive notification, and dealers will inspect and replace the faulty rear axle bolts with new, more robust parts free of charge.

2. Ford Bronco Sport and Escape: Underhood Fire Risk

A massive recall affecting nearly a million vehicles highlights a severe fire hazard that owners must address immediately.

  • Affected Vehicles: Approximately 858,000 units of the 2021–2024 Ford Bronco Sport and the Ford Escape.
  • The Core Problem: The fuel injector may crack, which can cause fuel to leak.
  • Safety Risk: Leaked fuel can pool near hot engine components, leading to an underhood fire. This is one of the most serious types of safety recall due to the potential for total vehicle loss and occupant danger.
  • The Remedy: Ford is implementing a fix that includes updating the engine control software to detect a pressure drop from a cracked injector. The software will then disable the fuel pump, and the driver will be alerted. Additionally, a drain tube will be installed to route any leaked fuel away from hot surfaces.

3. Ford Escape: Defective Liftgate Hinge Cover

Announced just days before this article's publication in December 2025, this recall affects over 100,000 SUVs and is a prime example of a non-drivetrain issue that still presents a major safety concern.

  • Affected Vehicles: Over 108,000 units of the 2020–2025 Ford Escape.
  • The Core Problem: The liftgate hinge cover may not be properly secured.
  • Safety Risk: The unsecured cover can detach from the vehicle while driving. This creates a road hazard for other drivers and significantly increases the risk of a crash or injury to others on the road.
  • The Remedy: Dealers will inspect the liftgate hinge covers and replace or properly secure them as needed, ensuring they remain attached to the vehicle.

4. Bronco and F-Series Trucks: Software Glitch Causes Blank Instrument Display

While not a mechanical failure, a software issue that results in a blank instrument display is a dangerous distraction and prevents the driver from seeing crucial information like speed, fuel level, and warning lights.

  • Affected Vehicles: Certain 2025 Ford F-150, and 2025–2026 Ford F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. Also, a separate recall affected nearly 230,000 Bronco SUVs for a similar faulty Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) software error.
  • The Core Problem: A software error in the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) module causes the display to go blank or fail to boot up properly.
  • Safety Risk: A blank display prevents the driver from monitoring critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash. This is a major distraction, especially at night or at high speeds.
  • The Remedy: Ford dealers will perform a software update on the IPC module to correct the programming error. For the Bronco, a similar software update was issued.

5. Ford 2025 Models: Electronic Brake Booster Failure

This recall, though involving a smaller number of vehicles, is critically important because it affects the primary safety system: the brakes.

  • Affected Vehicles: A small population of 2025 Ford F-150, Bronco, Ranger, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles (approximately 679 units).
  • The Core Problem: A defect in the Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module.
  • Safety Risk: The EBB fault can lead to a sudden loss of power brake assist. While mechanical braking is still available, the driver will need to apply significantly more force and the stopping distance will be extended, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision.
  • The Remedy: Dealers will replace the electronic brake booster module on the affected vehicles. Owners of these specific 2025 models should check their VIN immediately.

Why Ford Has So Many Recalls

The high frequency of Ford vehicle recalls has been a recurring theme in recent years, with the brand consistently leading the industry in the number of safety actions. Several factors contribute to this trend, which is a major point of discussion among automotive analysts and consumer safety advocates.

Increased Vehicle Complexity: Modern Ford vehicles, like the F-150 and Bronco, rely heavily on complex software, electronic control units (ECUs), and advanced sensor systems. Many recent recalls, such as the blank instrument display issue, are software-related, indicating a challenge in managing the complexity of these integrated electronic components during development and manufacturing. This digital complexity creates more potential failure points.

Supply Chain and Manufacturing Pressures: The global automotive industry has faced unprecedented supply chain volatility. Expedited manufacturing processes and reliance on a broad network of suppliers can sometimes lead to quality control issues with specific parts, such as the rear axle bolts or the liftgate hinge covers.

Proactive NHTSA Reporting: Ford has also adopted a policy of being highly communicative and proactive with the NHTSA. While the high number of recalls is concerning, it also reflects Ford’s commitment to promptly reporting and addressing potential safety defects as soon as they are identified, even if the affected vehicle population is small.

What Ford Owners Must Do Right Now

If you own any of the affected models, your first step is to confirm if your specific vehicle is included in a safety recall. Do not wait for a mailed notification, as that can take several weeks.

1. Locate Your VIN: Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-character code found on your dashboard (visible through the windshield) or on the driver's side door jamb.

2. Use the NHTSA VIN Lookup Tool: Go to the official NHTSA website and enter your VIN. This tool provides the most up-to-date, authoritative information on all open recalls for your vehicle.

3. Contact Your Dealership: Once a recall is confirmed, immediately contact an authorized Ford dealership to schedule the free repair. The law requires that all safety recall repairs be performed at no cost to the owner.

4. Document Everything: Keep all correspondence, repair orders, and service records related to the recall remedy. This documentation is vital for future vehicle sales or potential warranty claims.

Staying informed about these critical safety actions is the best way to protect yourself, your passengers, and others on the road. The recent spate of Ford vehicle recalls underscores the importance of regular VIN checks.

5 Critical Ford Vehicle Recalls You Must Check Now (Latest December 2025 Updates)
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